Southeast Texans welcome new Army commander to Beaumont

Command of the Army’s 842nd Transportation Battalion changed hands Thursday, June 13, during a ceremony at the battalion’s headquarters at the Port of Beaumont. Lt. Col. Michael J. Arnold handed command over to Lt. Col. Darrin M. Bowser. Arnold, who has held command of the 842nd Transportation Battalion for the last two years, was reassigned to the Headquarters Second Infantry Division in Korea. He has served in Iraq, Kuwait and Korea and was also an assistant professor at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

Arnold thanked fellow servicemen, police officers, coaches, principals, teachers, neighbors and friends for their support during his command of the battalion and welcomed the new commander.

“Darrin, I know that you will be happy to serve here in Beaumont,” Arnold said. “I’m heartened by the fact that the team members I love and care for are getting one great commander.”

Bowser enlisted in the Army in 1986 and was discharged in 1988 to attend Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio. He was commissioned and returned to active duty as a second lieutenant. Bowser served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom and has earned numerous decorations including the Bronze Star and Army Commendation medals.

“I am both excited and humbled by the opportunity to serve in the 842nd Transportation Battalion here in Beaumont,” Bowser said. “My family and I look forward to living and working in this wonderful community.”

The 842nd Transportation Battalion deploys and conducts surface deployment/redeployment, distribution and water terminal operations to support and sustain the troops.

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